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Explore our archive of rare stories from different corridors of cultural discourse across craft, oral and performance traditions, visual culture and more.
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ചർച്ച: പണിയ ഗോത്രസംസ്കാരം, ചരിത്രം, ജീവിതം | Community Meet | ARPO Earthlore
വയനാട്ടിലെ പണിയ സമുദായം ഇപ്പിമല ഉത്ഭവ ഐതിഹ്യത്തിലും ആട്ടാളിപ്പാട്ടിലൂടെ കൈമാറ്റം ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ട വാമൊഴി പാരമ്പര്യത്തിലും അധിഷ്ഠിതമാണ്. ചെമ്മി, കോയ്മ ഭരണസംവിധാനം, വള്ളിയൂർക്കാവിലെ നിപ്പുപണം അടിമത്ത ചരിത്രം, പ്രകൃതിയാരാധന, സവിശേഷമായ മരണാനന്തര-വിവാഹ ആചാരങ്ങൾ എന്നിവ ഇവരുടെ സംസ്കാരത്തിന്റെ മുഖമുദ്രകളാണ്. പുതിയ തലമുറയുടെ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം, സ്ഥിരമായ തൊഴിൽ, ഗോത്രഭാഷാ സംരക്ഷണം എന്നിവയിലൂടെ സമുദായത്തിന്റെ പുരോഗതി സാധ്യമാക്കാമെന്ന് ചർച്ച അടിവരയിടുന്നു. Hear from members of the Paniya community
Rediscovering Onam and its Diversity |Dr P. Ranjith | Vaayo Talks | ARPO
In this Vaayo Talk, Dr. P. Ranjith explores the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of Onam, one of Kerala's most significant festivals. Drawing from history, folklore, literature, and contemporary interpretations, he reflects on the multiple narratives of Onam and the diverse ways in which it has been understood and celebrated across communities. The talk examines questions of memory, identity, tradition, and cultural change, inviting viewers to look beyond familiar
Pathonam | Many Stories of Onam | An ARPO Original Documentary
What if the Onam we know is only one version of the story? Pathonam looks beyond the familiar and popular image of Onam that we know of pookalams, kasavu, sadhya and the story of Mahabali to explore the many ways Onam has been celebrated across Kerala. From Onapottan and Thuyilunarthupattu to Onathallu, Onavillu, Pulikali and Vallam Kali, this documentary traces the traditions, memories and histories that have shaped Onam and asks how one festival came to be understood throug
How Bharathapuzha Shaped Kerala Culture | Vinod M Nambiar | Vaayo Talks
A journey through the cultural history of Nila river
Restoring Kerala's Architectural Heritage: Ep 10: SAGA with Manu S Pillai ft Swathy, Savita & Ritu
Imagine a small temple in a regular village suddenly thrust into the spotlight thanks to an award from UNESCO. In 2023 three young conservation architects helped restore a centuries old wooden mandapam in the Kunnamangalam Devi Temple under a project initiated by the Archival and Research Project (ARPO). In Episode 10 of the SAGA series, Manu S Pillai sits down with Swathy Subramanian, Ritu Sara Thomas, and Savita Rajan for a discussion around Kerala architecture, the challen
Tribal Culture in Wayanad | Ep 9: SAGA with Manu S Pillai ft. Manikuttan Paniyan & Bindu Irulam
In Episode 9 of SAGA, we engage with two powerful voices from marginalised tribal groups in Kerala: Manikuttan Paniyan and Bindu Irulam. In the first half of the episode, Manikuttan takes us through the story of the Paniya community, and its past and present. In the second half, Bindu introduces us to the lore, song, poetry, and language of the Kattunayakar tribe. Both ultimately hope their tribal identity will be preserved and protected as younger generations engage with the
Jews of Kerala | Ep 8: SAGA with Manu S Pillai ft Thoufeek Zakriya
How did a young Muslim boy grow fascinated with Kerala’s Jewish history? Meet Thoufeek Zakriya, a calligrapher, chef, researcher and one of the few people to have spent over two decades closely documenting the Jewish heritage of Kerala. What began as a childhood curiosity grew into a lifelong journey of learning Hebrew, studying Jewish manuscripts and inscriptions, and recording the stories, memories and traditions of the Jewish communities that once flourished along the Mala
Syrian Christians of Kerala | Ep 7: SAGA with Manu S Pillai ft. Pallikonam Rajeev
Legend places the arrival of Christianity in Kerala in 52 CE. While that date is much debated, for well over a millennium now, Kerala has been home to a distinct Christian community known as the Nasranis or Syrian Christians. Many books and accounts exist on their religious history. But relatively less is known of the social, cultural, and political position of these Malayali Christians in pre-colonial Kerala. In Episode 7 of Saga, Manu S Pillai sits down with Pallikonam Raje
Royal Consorts of Travancore | Ep 6: SAGA with Manu S Pillai Ft. Sharat Sunder Rajeev
The maharajahs of Travancore are well placed in popular imagination, with their links to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. However, the system of succession followed in their family was unusual. For no ruler could be succeeded by his son, and the queen was not the ruler's wife but his sister. As a result, history has focussed more on the royal sisters (Ranis), while the wives (Ammachis) and children (Tampis) of the maharajahs have faded from the record. In Episode 6 of Saga, Ma
Theeyattu | Ep 5: SAGA with Manu S Pillai Ft. Sasidhara Sarma & Sreejith Sarma
Among Kerala's several ritual dance forms, some are well known, and others less so. It is this second space that the Theeyattu, or dance of fire, today occupies. Performed by a small community, with only a handful of Theeyattu-Unnis still practising the tradition, in many ways this is a fading dance form and sacred rite. In Episode 5 of Saga, Manu S Pillai meets two committed hereditary practitioners, Sasidhara Sarma and his son Sreejith Sarma, to discuss the Theeyattu, its e
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